A Brief History of the Evolution of Operating Room Attire

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 From formalwear and frocks to scrubs and gowns: A brief history of the evolution of operating room attire AUTHORS Jessica L. Buicko, MD1 Michael A. Lopez, DO1 Miguel A. Lopez-Viego, MD, FACS1 1Department of Surgery, University of Miami-JFK Medical Center, Atlantis, FL CORRESPONDING AUTHOR Jessica L. Buicko 225 NE 1st St #209 Delray Beach, FL 33444 518-229-7711 [email protected] ©2016 by the American College of Surgeons. All rights reserved. CC2016 Poster Competition • From formal wear and frocks to scrubs and gowns • 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Most of the knowledge of the history of surgical Introduction attire is derived from drawings, paintings and Stroll into any operating room and you will find surgeons anecdotal reports. Although conventional adorned in various shades of blues and greens along with their today, “scrubs” were not routinely worn until masks, scrub hats, and surgical gowns. The surgical attire that has become commonplace throughout operating rooms around the mid-20th century. In the 19th century, it the world, has only been around for less than a century. would be commonplace for a surgeon to shrug off his suit jacket, roll up his sleeves, throw on A brief surgical timeline a frock or apron, and begin operating. Over the Prior to 19th century - Surgeons performed operations in their years, surgical garb continues to evolve to make street clothes with the only concessions being the removal of procedures safer for both the patient and the coats and rolling-up of shirt-sleeves during bloody procedures. surgeon. This paper will serve to outline the Early 19th century - Surgeons often wore black “frock coats” to reflect respectability and the “somber nature of their work,”1 interesting evolution of operating room attire. leading to the perennial surgical story of the frock coat “stiff with caked blood”2 (Figure 1). Late 1870s - Lister covered his waistcoat and trousers with an “ordinary unsterilized huckaback towel for his own protection not that of the patient.”3 1883 - German Surgeon, Gustav Neuber of Kiel, was the first to use a sterilized surgical gown.4 1885 - Lucy Osburn, Lady Superintendent of Sydney Hospital, wrote to Florence Nightingale about the outfits worn by surgeons in the operating theatre: “The doctor and all his assistants take off their coats and have tied round them garments of white makintosh which cover them from chin to toes, and over this a shift- a kind of white cotton surplice with loose sleeves coming to the elbows, this latter changed after each case” (Figure 2).5 1 2 ©2016 by the American College of Surgeons. All rights reserved. CC2016 Poster Competition • From formal wear and frocks to scrubs and gowns • 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 The evolution of scrubs Originally known as “surgical greens” because of their color, this form of attire has now colloquially been termed “scrubs” because of the simple notion that they are worn in a “scrubbed” environment. The first mention of scrubs was in 1894 when Dr. Hunter Robber stated, “It is safer and better that all should put on a complete change of costume rather than simply don a sterilized coat and pair of trousers over the ordinary clothing.” He also suggested this attire be made white so that it can easily be washed.7 When electricity took hold and more lights were used operating 3 rooms rather than relying on windows and skylights, the combination of bright lights and white attire led to significant glare and “there was a green ghosting effect when shifting gaze 1893 - Halsted’s senior resident, Dr. Joseph Bloodgood from bloody red innards to white backgrounds.2 (Figure 3), noted that the practice of gloving the surgical team dramatically decreased infection rate but surgeons reluctant In 1914, San Francisco surgeon Harry Sherman, believed that a because gloves led to an “impaired sense of touch”.4 color scheme might evolve from the red of blood and tissues. He recommended green, a color “less wearisome to the eyes Early 1900s - The Spanish flu” pandemic and growing interest and [one that] minimized reflection.” He further suggested that in Lister’s germ theory led to some surgeons wearing cotton green “keeps the surgeon’s eye acute to red and pink.”8 “Ciel” 6 masks in surgery to protect themselves from diseases. (sky) blue became popular as a color for surgical apparel in the 1916 - The technique of “donning gloves” during surgery first 1950s, when color television began to be used for videotaping 9 appears referenced in texts.6 and closed-circuit teaching. 1920s - The use of masks becomes routine practice in the Where we are today operating room.2 Attire has been a new significant focus of the American College 1939 - Devenish and Miles showed that when the wrists of Surgeons (ACS). In 2016, the ACS announced specific of a cotton gown became wet during an operation, skin guidelines for appropriate surgical attire reasoning that these microorganisms which may infect the patient pass readily guidelines are based on decorum, professionalism, common through the material. By equipping the surgeon with waterproof sense, and available evidence.10 over-sleeves Devenish and Miles prevented wetting of the sleeves.6 The statement in its entirety can be viewed on the ACS website.10 Some highlights include the notion that operating 1940s- Advances antisepsis and wound infection led to room scrubs should not be worn outside the hospital perimeter antiseptic drapes and gowns become adopted. and should be changed at least daily. Scrubs worn outside of 2016- American College of Surgeons announces new guidelines the operating room suite should be covered up with a white for surgical attire. coat or other appropriate cover. Masks should never be worn dangling at any time. In addition to promoting patient safety, the ACS guidelines uphold a culture of professionalism.10 ©2016 by the American College of Surgeons. All rights reserved. CC2016 Poster Competition • From formal wear and frocks to scrubs and gowns • 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 References Legend 1 Picard, A. Why do physicians 1 Thomas Eakins, The Gross wear white lab coats? The Clinic (1875). Samuel Gross Globe and Mail. 2012. (1805-1884) wears a frock coat during surgery, as do 2 Hardy, S. Corones, A. Dressed all of his attendants. Gross to Heal: The Changing expressed skepticism regarding Semiotics of Surgical Dress. Lister’s use of carbolic acid Fashion Theory. 2016;20(1):27- and the latter’s antiseptic 49. system. Image courtesy of the 3 Godlee, Rickman. Lord Lister. Philadelphia Museum of Art. London. 1918. 2 Thomas Eakins, The Agnew 4 Adams, L.W., Aschenbrenner, Clinic (1889). D. Hayes Agnew C.A., Houle, T.T, et al. (1818-1892) was among the Uncovering the History first in the U.S. to adopt of Operating Room Attire Listerism. All members of his through Photographs. team wear clean white gowns. Anesthesiology. 2015;124(1): None wear gloves. Image 19-24. courtesy of the University of 5 Doherty, M. The life and Pennsylvania Art Collection, times of Royal Prince Alfred Philadelphia, PA. Hospital, Sydney, Australia. 3 Surgeon Joseph Bloodgood New South Wales College of (third from left) wearing Nursing. 1996. gloves during an operation, 6 Blowers, R., McClusky, M. 1893. One of the first Design of operating-room operations where the surgeon dress for surgeons. The wears rubber gloves. Image Lancet. 1965;2(7414):681-683. courtesy Alan Mason Chesney Medical Archives, Johns 7 Belkin, N. Use of scrubs Hopkins Medical Institutions. and related apparel in health care facilities. AJIC. 1997;25(5):401-404. 8 Belkin, N. Surgical scrubs- Where we were, where we are going. Today’s Surgical Nurse. 1998;20(2):28-34. 9 Laufman, H., Belkin, N., Meyer, K. A critical review of a century’s progress in surgical apparel: How far have we come? J Am Coll Surg. 2000;191(5):554-568. 10 Board of Regents, The American College of Surgeons. Statement on Operating Room Attire. Available at: https:// www.facs.org/about-acs/ statements/87-surgical-attire. Accessed September 1, 2016. ©2016 by the American College of Surgeons. All rights reserved. CC2016 Poster Competition • From formal wear and frocks to scrubs and gowns • 9.

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